when transcribing do u first figure out the key of the song? can you figure out the key just by listening to it? or is the key figured out for improvisation. how do i go about transcribing im very confused.

transcribe the root motion/chords first. then transcribe the melody/solo. you can do it the other way. but I think the chords first helps narrow down the melody/solo notes if you're having difficulty with that at first.

I had a teacher who said narrow it down to the bass notes and melody notes. then fill in te chords in between if you're having difficulty hearing the changes.

Yes I figure out the key first. You should be able to hear the tonic note, it sounds the most "Sweet" for lack of a better way to explain it.
When you start transcribing start by working out short melody lines. Then start wiring on chords. I don't actually transcribe to work on my ear i find singing works my ear better than transcribing. I transcribe when i want to figure out a specific lick or just want to learn a song. Why do you want to transcribe?

Think of it this way. A particular note is the same no matter what key it is in, so technically, you can transcribe a song without ever knowing the key. What the key does for you is help you to guess what a note might be. Even a trained musician might have difficulty identifying whether a note is a G or a G# without a reference. The key of a song gives us that reference to make the transcription a little easier.

Think of it this way. A particular note is the same no matter what key it is in, so technically, you can transcribe a song without ever knowing the key.

I can testify to this

When transcribing, the first thing I do is to find the lowest note or chord that's being used in the song. It is useful as a reference so that I know which tuning I can(not) use or which one is most likely used in the song. I admittedly transcribe without knowing the key But you can probably be much more effective if you do.
Transcribing the bass early is very useful. Because of harmonies and what not, depending on the song it's sometimes hard to tell which root notes of chords are used, and generally the bass line will give you a great idea of what's going on

Play a Gmin chord where it occurs in the song, i.e the very beginning and again at 7 secs (just to get you started.

Now play a G major chord in the same places.

Which one sounds better?

Here's a little tip:

When transcribing the melody, listen to it in small chunks, then hit pause. If you can sing it back perfectly, both pitch and rhythm, then you'll be able to play it perfectly.... just find the notes on the neck.

If you can sing it, you can play it. Cuz it means you have it internalized, and that is what's important.

So basically, you could hear it was in G because you transcribed and memorized music in G and (due to the Levitin effect) you could hear it was in the same key as those songs?
Thats cool. I can hear when songs are in Db sometimes. But only sometimes.